Football Legend, Diego Maradona Arrested
On April 26, 1991, football legend, Diego Maradona was arrested by federal police in his hometown on charges of cocaine possession and use.
His arrest marked the start of a rapid descent of a once-celebrated soccer player, revered by millions globally. Maradona (30 at the time), visibly distressed, was taken to the narcotics bureau headquarters for cocaine testing.
Despite consistently denying any drug problems, Maradona was nabbed alongside two others in a working-class apartment. A spokesperson revealed that one of the men arrested was a childhood friend of the soccer star. The Police monitored the apartment earlier and moved in after observing suspicious activity and the disposal of a packet through the window believed to contain cocaine.
As authorities conducted a thorough search, word of the arrest spread, drawing a crowd of reporters and onlookers outside the building. The chaotic scene outside showed the fervent adoration Maradona once enjoyed for his athletic achievements. Despite attempting to put up a strong composure, Maradona later broke down in tears as he was escorted to a waiting police car bound for the station.
This latest blow follows Maradona's suspension from the Italian League for 15 months after testing positive for cocaine on April 2nd. He was given a 14-month suspension sentence. However, Maradona later returned to the field and played until in 1997 when he failed his third drug test in six years, effectively ending his playing career.
Polio Vaccine Tested On 1.8 Million Children
Also, on April 26, 1954, the Salk polio vaccine trials began. The tests which involved 1.8 million children started at Franklin Sherman Elementary School in McLean, Virginia. Participants from the United States, Canada, and Finland took part in these trials. The trials pioneered the now-standard double-blind method- a method that ensured that neither the patient nor the attending doctor knew if the inoculation administered was the vaccine or a placebo.
A year later, on April 12, 1955, researchers declared the vaccine safe and effective, swiftly integrating it into childhood immunization routines across America. Decades later, polio vaccines significantly reduced the prevalence of this highly contagious disease in the Western Hemisphere.
Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is an ancient infectious disease caused by a virus that primarily affects children and can lead to paralysis. Many countries have made polio vaccine mandatory for children amid serious efforts to eradicate the disease.